Immunization Information for Healthcare Professionals

Immunization

The goal of immunization programs is to offer protection against vaccine-preventable diseases in order to decrease harm and transmission.

Community Vaccine Providers, for information on COVID-19 and influenza please visit:

Community Vaccine Provider Responsibilities

  • Follow BCCDC Immunization Manual guidelines
  • Maintain cold chain and report any cold chain incidents to the local health unit
  • All vaccines administered to individuals less than 19 must be reported to the local health unit when the vaccine is not documented into the Provincial Immunization Registry (i.e. Panorama, Pharmanet, ImmsBC or eForm) at time of administration 
  • Report adverse events following immunization to the local health unit
Follow BCCDC Immunization Manual Guidelines

The BCCDC Immunization Manual provides best practice guidelines to direct the provision of immunization services in British Columbia. The manual is updated regularly and it is the responsibility of each provider to ensure they are using the most current version. All updates are summarized in the Admin Circulars. To receive automated email updates when the manual is updated, enter your email address on this page.

Management of Biologicals

The BCCDC Immunization Manual: Appendix E provides guidelines on the management of biologicals. Additional information and resources can be found on the BCCDC Vaccine Management page. There is also a free 30-minute course on Vaccine Storage and Handling

Maintaining Vaccine Stability

Vaccines are sensitive biological products. Protection of vaccine potency and stability is important.

The recommended temperature for vaccine storage and handling is between +2.0°C to +8.0°C at all times.

Record the minimum, maximum and current temperature of the vaccine fridge at the start and end of each business day using the Refrigerator Temperature Log. For more information, review these instructions.

A cold chain incident occurs when the minimum, maximum or current fridge temperature reading is outside +2.0°C to +8.0°C. If this happens, immediately quarantine the vaccine in a fridge maintained between +2.0°C to +8.0°C
and following these steps:

  1. Notify the local Health Unit Biological Products Monitor (BPM)
  2. Complete the Cold Chain Incident Form. For more information, review these instructions.
  3. Send completed form (email preferred) to the local Health Unit 
  4. Keep vaccines quarantined in the fridge and await recommendations
Ordering Vaccine

To order vaccine, complete Publicly Funded Vaccine Order Form and fax to the local Health Unit.

Reporting Immunizations to Public Health

Immunizations administered to children less than 19 years of age must be reported to the local Health Unit when the vaccines are not entered directly into the Provincial Immunization Regisrty (i.e. Panorama, Pharmanet, ImmsBC, or eForm) at time of administration.

To report immunizations to Public Health, complete Report of Immunization of Children 0-18 Years by Community Vaccine Providers Form and fax to local Health Unit weekly. 

Reporting Adverse Events

The BCCDC Immunization Manual: Part 5: Adverse Events Following Immunization provides guidance on reportable events. All adverse events following immunization that meet the reporting criteria must be reported to the local Health Unit

When an adverse event following immunization is reported to you: 

  1. Review the reporting criteria (Page 7)
  2. If the reaction meets the reporting criteria, complete the AEFI Case Report Form
    See BCCDC Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) webpage for additional information on how to report an AEFI. An instructional video is also available: How to Complete the 2-Page AEFI Form
  3. Send completed form to the local Health Unit

Additional Resources

News & Events

Walk-in availability makes it easy for families to get immunized heading into the holiday season

Walk-in availability makes it easy for families to get immunized heading into the holiday season

Now is the best time to get your influenza and COVID-19 immunizations to provide protection as we head into the holiday season and gather with loved ones.

Read more

immunizations

Catch up with confidence: stay up to date with childhood immunizations

As a new school year beckons, and in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, Island Health encourages parents to ensure that vaccinations are on their children’s back-to-school list.

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Child getting immunized at an Island Health facility

Reducing barriers and increasing access supports families to get immunized

For physicians Aaron Childs and Sonja Mathes, vaccinating their three children is a matter of course. 

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